Today, Kelly has an engaging sit-down with Olympic gold medalist and professional beach volleyball player, Alix Klineman. Known for her prowess on the sand, Klineman dives into her culinary journey, which has been as dynamic as her sports career.

Alix's passion for cooking ignited in Italy when a teammate introduced her to butternut squash risotto, a dish that has since become her signature. She accentuates the simplicity and joy of cooking this Italian staple for friends and family, while Kelly playfully proposes sending her a unique kitchen gadget to make stirring risotto easier.

The conversation serves up a mix of personal insights and practical advice, covering Alix's postpartum return to volleyball, her nutritional strategies for maintaining energy levels while nursing her son Theo, and how her diet supports her rigorous athletic needs, especially the importance of protein intake.

Finally, the episode digs into Alix's approach to beach volleyball strategies, missing the Paris Olympics due to her pregnancy, and the Sports & Forks Quick Fire Challenge where we learn her food quirks and dream dinner guest. This episode is a delightful blend of sports insights and gastronomic revelations, seasoned with personal stories that will resonate with athletes and foodies alike.

Timestamped Overview:

03:30 Eating abroad during Olympics

07:36 The demands of Beach Volleyball

14:58 Alix’s current dining lifestyle

19:55 Learned to cook from friends, loves risotto.

22:29 Gradual recovery post-partum process before returning to competition.

24:43 Maintaining high protein intake while nursing.

28:31 Sports & Forks Quick Fire Challenge